Dipper



Sept. 1958 D. T. BRANSON 7 3,402,486

DIPPER Filed Sept. 2l, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR DA v10 I BRANSONndrus g5 Star/(g Afmvevs D. T. BRANSON Sept. 24, 1968 DIPPER 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 21, 1965 mvawm DAVID T. BRANSON drus Star"AffRue'Ys p 1968 D. T; BRANSON 3,402,486

DIPPER Filed Sept. 21, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 M /Z Y =Q JO av ll'lll "1'Z8 Z5 INVENTCIDR DAVID 72 BRANSON 7qirtv'rus StarKe United States Patent3,402,486 DIPPER David T. Branson, Green Bay, Wis, assignor to NorthwestEngineering Corporation, Green Bay, Wis., a corporation of WisconsinFiled Sept. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 488,845 Claims. (Cl. 37-118) ABSTRACT 0FTHE DISCLOSURE An excavator dipper having a stick with an end forming adipper back which is disposed between the dipper sides and pivotallyconnected thereto near the upper back edge. A reversible wedge blockrigidly secures the back to each corresponding side near the lower backedge.

This invention relates to a dipper as employed on a power shovel fordredging and excavating purposes.

The invention constitutes an improvement upon the excavating dipperillustrated in US. Patent No. 2,652,940 granted on Sept. 22, 1953, toAnders H. Brolin et al. In this type of dipper the stick provides theback of the dipper and is secured to the sides by a pivotal cross boltillustrated as being near the bottom of the dipper and by wedge blocksillustrated as being near the top corner of the dipper and providingbearing surfaces generally constituting radii of the pivotal cross bolt.The wedge block is generally spring biased toward the pivotal cross boltto maintain tightness of fit and thereby rigidly secure the stick to thesides of the dipper.

The present invention has for its principal objective to greatlysimplify the construction and to eliminate the expensive machiningoperations required in the former construction for the wedge blocks andtheir recesses. The invention also eliminates the goose neck support forthe dipper bottom and provides a more direct connection between thebottom and its pivotal securement to the sides of the dipper.

In carrying out the invention the wedge blocks have slanting sides thatfit between complementary slanting recess portions of the stick and ofthe dipper sides. The wedge action, instead of being related to the axisof the cross bolt, is directed transversely of the dipper and the partsare secured together by a transverse through bolt reaching completelyacross the dipper.

For the purpose of adjusting the angle of the stick each wedge block isconstructed with a base portion that fits into the recess in a side ofthe dipper having a substantially greater width than the wedge portionthat fits into the recess in the stick so that by reversing andinterchanging the wedge blocks the stick angle is changed.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to thespecific embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an assembled dipper with the free end ofthe stick broken away;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 1 with parts brokenaway and sectioned;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the assembly of FIG. 1 with parts brokenaway and sectioned;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the assembly of FIG. 1 with parts brokenaway and sectioned;

3,402,486 Patented Sept. 24, 1968 FIG. 5 is a detail transversehorizontal section taken on line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a section similar to FIG. 5 showing the blocks reversed toadjust the angle of the stick to the opposite position FIG. 7 is aperspective view of a wedge block;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the same wedge block from a dilferentangle;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the wedge block from the outer side; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the wedge block from the inner side.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the dippergenerally comprises the dipper handle or stick, which forms the rear ofthe dipper, an. integrally cast member providing the right side 2, theleft side 3 and the front 4 to which suitable replaceable teeth 5 areprovided, and a pivotal bottom 6.

The stick 1 is weld fabricated from plate or structural angle stock andcomprises a long rectangular member 7 having a lower end 8 forattachment to the dipper proper.

The lower end 8 comprises two side plates 9 and 10 which carry a curvedback plate 11 constituting the back side of the dipper proper andgenerally disposed between the sides 2 and 3 of the dipper. Variousstrengthening members 12 are welded to the side plates 9 and 10 and theback plate 11 and to member 7 to support the same from the member 7.

Suitable bail ears 13 are carried by the upper members 12 for receivingthe pin 14 and anchor connector 15 for the hoist cable 16.

The side plates 9 and 10 are spaced apart to fit just inside thecorresponding sides 2 and 3 of the dipper, and are provided with meansto removably secure the same to the dipper sides 2 and 3 and to providefor limited angular adjustment between the stick 1 and dipper proper.

In carrying out the present invention the connection between side plates9 and 10 and the corresponding sides 2 and 3 comprises the pivotalconnection 17 at the upper front corner of the dipper and the wedgeblock connection 18 at the lower rear corner of the dipper.

The pivotal connection 17 comprises a through bolt 19 for the dipper andwhich extends transversely through the opposite sides 2 and 3 andcorresponding side plates 9 and 10.

The wedge block connections 18 comprise two wedge blocks 23 and 24, eachdisposed in a pair of adjacent facing recesses 25 and 26, recess 25being in the corre sporlding sides 2 or 3 and recesses 26 being incorresponding side plates 9 or 10.

Each of the wedge blocks 23 and 24 has a base portion 27 fitting in therecess 25 of the corresponding dipper side 2 or 3. Also each of thewedge blocks 23 and 24 has an angle adjustment portion 28 fitting in therecess 26 of the corresponding ,side plate 9 or 10.

The base portions 27 of the corresponding wedge blocks 23 and 24 aresubstantially rectangular with their upper and lower edges extendinglongitudinally in a direction generally parallel to a center line 29 forthe portion and which center line coincides with the center line forrecess 25 and also intersects the axis 30 for pivotal connection 17.

The portions 28 of the corresponding wedge blocks 23 and 24 aregenerally rectangular with a length corresponding to the length of baseportions 27 and a width corresponding to approximately one-halt thewidth of 3 the adjacent base portion. Portions 28 are offset from thecorresponding adjacent base portions 27 at an angle of approximatelyone-half the desired angle of adjustment for stick 1.

Where the desired angle of adjustment for stick 1 is 8, for instance,the longitudinal center line 31 for portion 28 will be offsetapproximately 4 relative to the center line 29 for portion 27. The upperand lower edges of portion 28 are generally parallel to center line 31.

The parallel relationship of the upper and lower edges of portion 27 andalso the edges of portion 28 greatly facilitates machining of theseedges.

The longitudinal edges of base portion 27 of each wedge block 23 and 24are inclined to taper in a direction away from the side having theportion 28 integral therewith. Likewise the longitudinal edges of theangle adjustment portion 28 of each Wedge block 23 and 24 are inclinedto taper in a direction away from the side having base portion 27. Inother words the longitudinal edges of portion 27 are laterally taperedoutwardly and the longitudinal edges of portion 28 are laterally taperedin the opposite direction, i.e., inwardly of the dipper.

The longitudinal edges for recesses 25 and 26 are inclined generallycomplementary to the taper on the corresponding mating edges of theWedge block. In general about a 5 incline has been found to besufiicient for the longitudinal edges of portions 27 and 28 of the wedgeblocks and also for the longitudinal edges of the recesses 25 and 26.

When the dipper is assembled the wedge block 23 is confined in therecesses 25 and 26 between the right side 2 and the side plate 9, andthe wedge block 24 is confined in the recesses 25 and 26 between theleft side 3 and side plate 10.

Both recesses 25 and 26 constitute slots in the sides 2-3 and the sideplates 9-10, respectively, and are open at the bottom end to facilitateassembly.

After the stick 1 and dipper body are assembled with the Wedge blocks inplace the pivotal connection 17 is made secure. Then the wedge blocks 23and 24 are secured tightly by lateral wedging action in theircorresponding pairs of recesses, by means of a bolt 32 which passesthrough aligned openings in the sides 23, the side plates 9-10 and thewedge block on the center line for portion 28 of the corresponding wedgeblock.

Assembly as described provides a very rigid securement of stick 1 to thedipper proper. The wedge blocks 23 and 24 are generally of cast metaland may be cast with the inclined edges complete without requiring anymachining to make them usable. Where machining of the tapered edges maybe desired it is accomplished by a simple longitudinal movement of thecutting tool along the corresponding edge. Likewise the recesses 25 and26 may be either cast or readily machined in the corresponding plates 2and 3 and the side plates 9 and 10.

When it is desired to change the angle of the stick 1 relative to thedipper proper, as illustrated by comparison of FIGS. 5 and 6, the stick1 is merely disassembled from the dipper proper and the wedge blocks 23and 24 are reversed and turned over so that the portions 28 are disposedat a different angle from the axis of connection 17. In this reversedposition the wedge block 23 will be disposed in the recess 26 of sideplate and the recess of side 3, while wedge block 24 will be disposed inthe recess 26 of side plate 9 and the recess 25 of side 2.

The construction thus simplifies angular adjustment for the stick andprovides a rigid connection to the sides of the dipper.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention.

I claim:

1. In a dipper for excavators and the like, the combination of a dipperstick having an end formed to provide a back for the dipper, a dipperbody having sides and a front, said dipper back being disposed betweensaid dipper sides, means pivotally connecting said back to said sides ona transverse axis disposed near the upper edge of said back, and wedgemeans rigidly securing said back to said sides near the lower edge ofsaid back, said wedge means comprising a wedge block clamped in recessesin the opposed faces of said back and each corresponding side with therecesses offset vertically to provide for adjustment of the backrelative to the side by reversing the block.

2. In a dipper for excavators and the like, the com bination of a dipperstick having an end formed to provide a back for the dipper, a dipperbody having sides and a front, said dipper back being disposed betweensaid dipper sides, means pivotally connecting said back to said sides ona transverse axis disposed near the upper edge of said back, and wedgemeans rigidly securing said back to said sides near the lower edge ofsaid back, said wedge means comprising separate Wedge blocks clamped incorresponding recesses in the opposed faces of said back and said sides,said recesses opening as slots toward the rear of the dipper, and thelongitudinal edges of the recesses and of the corresponding edges of thewedge blocks being inclined laterally to provide the wedging action.

3. In a dipper for excavators and the like, the combination of a dipperstick having an end formed to provide a back for the dipper, a dipperbody having sides and a front, said dipper back being disposed betweensaid dipper sides, means pivotally connecting said back to said sides ona transverse axis disposed near the upper edge of said back, and wedgemeans rigidly securing said back to said sides near the lower edge ofsaid back, said wedge means comprising separate wedge blocks clamped incorresponding recesses in the opposed faces of said back and said sides,each said wedge block having a base portion and an angle adjustmentportion disposed back to back with the longitudinal edges of eachportion tapered outwardly from the other portion to provide a wedgingaction by engagement of the inclined edges with corresponding edges ofsaid recesses when the block is clamped in place.

4. In a dipper for excavators and the like, the combination of a dipperstick having an end formed to provide a back for the dipper, a dipperbody having sides and a front, said dipper back being disposed betweensaid dipper sides, means pivotally connecting said back to said sides ona transverse axis disposed near the upper edge of said back, and wedgemeans rigidly securing said back to said sides near the lower edge ofsaid back, said wedge means comprising separate wedge blocks clamped incorresponding recesses in the opposed faces of said back and said sides,each said wedge block having a base portion and an angle adjustmentportion disposed back to back with the longitudinal edges of eachportion tapered outwardly from the other portion to provide a wedgingaction by engagement of the inclined edges with corresponding edges ofsaid recesses when the block is clamped in place, the base portion ofeach said wedge block fitting into a recess in the inner surface of thecorresponding dipper side, the angle adjustment portion of each saidwedge block fitting into a recess in the outer surface of thecorresponding dipper back, the longitudinal center line for each saiddipper side recess being offset from the axis of said pivotalconnection, the longitudinal center line for each said back recess beingradial to said axis of said pivotal connection, and said recessesconstituting slots open at the end farthest removed from said pivotalaxis, and said portions of said Wedge blocks being angularly offset fromeach other to provide for angular adjustment of the stick relative tothe dipper by reversal of said wedge blocks from side to side of thedipper and inversion of the wedge blocks.

5. In an excavating dipper having a stick secured to the sides of thedipper body and constituting the back for the dipper, a connectionbetween the stick and the dipper body comprising a wedge block disposedbetween each side of the dipper body and the dipper back, trecesses ineach said side and the corresponding side of the dipper back forreceiving said Wedge block, opposite edges of each said block beinginclined laterally of the dipper to taper the block outwardly,cor-responding edges of said recesses being inclined to receive thetapered portion of the corresponding Wedge blocks, and means eX- tendinglaterally through said dipper side, said wedge block and the side edgeof said back to clamp the same rigidly together on opposite sides of thedipper.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,652,940 9/1953 Brolin et al.214-145 3,049,252 10/1962 Noll 37-403 X ABRAHAM G. STONE, PrimaryExaminer.

A. E. KOPECKI, Assistant Examiner.

